21 Mar 2017

After months of speculation, one of the world's most coveted young attacking players has confirmed Liverpool's transfer interest.

Liverpool have been regularly linked with FC Rostov striker Sardar Azmoun this season, and when asked this week about a possible transfer to Anfield, the Iranian attacker told SCLD:

"There were talks with Liverpool in the past transfer window [but] I didn't feel the time was right. I would've ended up playing a few games and then spent a great deal of time on the bench as Liverpool were only looking to fill a void for a particular part of their season".

In my view, Azmoun clearly made the right decision. Why move just to sit on the bench? More young players should follow his example instead of chasing money and fame at such an early age. Recent transfer timeline:

* Jun 2015: Azmoun admitted: "I love the English Premier League and it would be a dream for me to play in England."

* Oct 2015: Iran boss Carlos Queiroz raved: "He [Azmoun] is world-class. The way he moves the ball is really brilliant, and at the level of some of the best forwards I've worked with, like Ruud van Nistelrooy".

With the greatest respect, it's nonsense to suggest that Azmoun is 'world-class', and there's no evidence to back up that assertion. Gross hyperbole aside, though, should Liverpool go back in for Azmoun in the summer?